Rs116 million allocated for water testing lab to strengthen environmental health monitoring: Khawaja Salman Rafique

Attends 7th International Health Research Conference

By Farzana Chaudhry, Lahore Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique attended the 7th International Health Research Conference at the Institute of Public Health as the chief guest.
The conference was attended by Professor Javed Akram, Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal, national and international speakers, faculty members, and a large number of participants.
Addressing the conference, Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated the Institute of Public Health on organizing the “7th International Health Research Conference 2026” and termed the conference theme, “One Nation, One Record, One Registry Network,” highly significant for the future of Pakistan’s health sector.
He said that in the modern era, public health is not limited to treatment alone, adding that an effective health system requires digital health records, disease surveillance, laboratory networks, and research-based policymaking.
The provincial minister stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is fully committed to strengthening the health sector and supporting the medical community. He highlighted several major healthcare initiatives launched by the Punjab government, including the Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Program, kidney and liver transplant programs, bone marrow transplants, cochlear implants, corneal transplants, adult cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, and stroke management initiatives.
He further said that neurology services for both adults and children are being introduced in phases across all districts of Punjab, while special arrangements have been made for free dialysis treatment in both government and private hospitals.
Khawaja Salman Rafique announced that new children’s hospitals are being established at all divisional headquarters. He added that several cardiac treatment facilities are already operational, while the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology are expected to become operational in July. Burn units are also being established at divisional headquarters, including Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
The health minister praised the institutional reforms taking place at the Institute of Public Health under the leadership of Professor Dr. Saira Afzal. He noted that seven institutional buildings had been renovated and rehabilitated in record time, significantly improving infrastructure and operational efficiency.
He also highlighted the revival of flagship academic programs, including MPH and MPhil degrees, which he said had restored the institute’s academic and research mandate.
The minister announced that Rs116 million has been allocated for a Water Testing Laboratory to strengthen the province’s capacity for environmental health monitoring and water quality assessment. He added that the establishment and operational strengthening of the Public Health Laboratory has improved preparedness, diagnostics, and surveillance systems for disease outbreaks.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said the institute has been actively involved in dengue surveillance, vector monitoring, alert generation, and technical guidance for outbreak preparedness, in line with the World Health Organization’s integrated vector management principles. He emphasized that Pakistan faces recurring seasonal dengue challenges, making institutional preparedness essential.
He reiterated that the Punjab government remains fully committed to improving health research, disease prevention, and healthcare delivery systems across the province. He expressed hope that the Institute of Public Health would emerge as one of Pakistan’s leading centers for public health education, research, and innovation under the leadership of Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Khan.
The minister also appreciated the cooperation of international experts and organizations working with Pakistan to improve healthcare systems, patient safety, and research collaboration. Addressing researchers and students, he stressed the importance of practical research aimed at solving real public health challenges in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Javed Akram said that modern medical research is essential to rid society of dangerous diseases. He added that countries around the world are successfully combating major illnesses through advanced research and innovation.
Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal thanked Khawaja Salman Rafique and other distinguished guests for participating in the conference. She credited the success and progress of the Institute of Public Health to the support of Khawaja Salman Rafique and Secretary Health Azmat Mahmood.